Entertainment

Gananoque gig for local comedian

When Todd Van Allen got the invitation to participate in the second 1000 Islands Comedy Festival taking place this weekend, he jumped at the chance.

"I really am excited to come home, I don't get to Gananoque often enough," said Van Allen. "It's my hometown."

Van Allen said this weekend's show will not only allow him to get a taste of home and catch up with friends, but it takes him back to his early days at Gananoque Secondary School where he started diving into comedy.

Van Allen got his toe into comedy at GSS talent shows and then advanced to working at the 1000 Islands Playhouse.

In 1994, he packed up and moved to Toronto and found himself working in various theatres there.

"I took a huge break from comedy at one point," he said, but added he got back into it because he said he really does enjoy it.

While looking forward to getting back to his hometown, Van Allen is also looking forward to the Comedy Festival.

"It's an interesting format," Van Allen said of the show. "It varies each night which challenges me to find new material and make it fit. And I enjoy that challenge."

Van Allen knows one of the organizers through his many friends and contacts and was asked to participate and he agreed right away.

One of his favourite things to do while here at home, is Van Allen will go to a pizza restaurant and go buy a whole pizza. He will then wrap each slice and freeze it to eat later in Toronto when he gets homesick.

"The hardest part is getting through the drive without devouring the whole pie," he said.

The Comedy Festival this weekend isn't the only thing Van Allen has planned here in Gananoque.

He also takes part in the annual Comedy Cruise, in conjunction with the Gananoque Boat Line. That cruise and show has been running for seven years now.

Van Allen said he is really enjoying what he is doing.

"I'm able to tour as much as I can," Van Allen said.

He tours throughout Canada as well as putting together podcasts entitled Comedy Above the Pub. Those podcasts are in their fourth season.

The 1000 Islands Comedy Festival takes place Friday and Saturday nights at the 1000 Islands Playhouse at 7 p.m. with an additional uncensored show on Saturday at 10 p.m.